Do you stir your coffee clockwise or counterclockwise?
@lordwarwizard (35747)
Singapore
November 11, 2007 8:12am CST
I was making a cup of coffee and I suddenly realized that I was stirring it counterclockwise. I know I normally stir in both directions just so that the milk and coffee get a thorough mix - but there is always a default one I start with.
It is an international convention that we turn something clockwise to lock and counterclockwise to unlock. My mind jumped and it seemed appropriate to associate constructive with the clockwise direction and destructive with the counterclockwise direction. After all, if we are "unlocking", we are removing restrictions. Semblance of order will collapse and chaos will ensue - thus destructive.
So does this mean I am someone who is more apt to destroy rather than create? I paused and interrogated my inner voice. It responded that I was a good person who would rather create than destroy. ^^
So why did I stir my coffee counterclockwise? Or am I being tedious by trying to exact an explanation for something seemingly inconsequential? :P
One night passed without thinking of the question and the answer came to me without bidding. However, it is still just my own hypothesis. You see, I am right-handed. I reckon that when I stir the coffee, it will be easier and more natural to turn my right wrist inwards (counterclockwise). Likewise, if you are using your left hand, you will be more inclined to turn your left wrist inwards i.e. clockwise than outwards i.e. counterclockwise.
To clarify, it is not so much whether you are left-handed or right-handed. It is rather which wrist you are using. I mentioned about me being right-handed because this means I use my right wrist more than the left. I would also stir my coffee with my right hand and would thus turn the right wrist inwards which is counterclockwise.
Does this make sense to you? So do you stir your coffee clockwise or counterclockwise? =)
26 people like this
91 responses
@Thomas73 (1467)
• Switzerland
11 Nov 07
This is an interesting discussion, although the creative/destructive aspect seems a little far-fetched to me. However, I do agree with you that the stirring direction is dependent on which hand you use. I am myself ambidextrous and use either hand to stir my coffee, depending which one is closest to the cup/mug at the time.
Does this work with tea too? ;)
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
That's why you make people so jealous! :P
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
Lol, I would think it "works" with any beverage. :P
And, our minds roam in different domains. I found the reasoning reasonable to my demented mind. :PP
And hmm.. ambidextrous? WOW! You may have a "favorite" hand then. =)
2 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
11 Nov 07
Hello there Wizard....You know i have never really thought about this but I am also right handed,and i always stir my coffee clockwise, I do not know why, its just something i always do without thinking...It makes sense to me that you thought of this Yes, because as long as i have been your friend you have always been very unique,its just how you are, which is good,you think of things that might not cross anyones else's mind ..LOL hey but thats a good thing...If you really let your mind wonder a bit, i bet you could invent something if you haven;t already...I bet you are either a virgo or a pisces aren't you? Well it is good hearing from you again.I went to your web-site and i have to say you did a terrific job..Congratulations!!!
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
You are Grandma above are in the same group of very unique people then. :P
And geez, thanks for thinking so highly of me. I am not so sure if your confidence is not misplaced though. :PP
Oops, I am neither a virgo or pisces. ^^
2 people like this
@sigma77 (5383)
• United States
11 Nov 07
Hmmm. I am left handed and stir it both directions. I drink it mostly black so there isn't much stirring to be done. I stir it with my left hand. I hold the cup to drink with either hand. And when I feel real adventurous, I balance a full cup of hot, steaming coffee on my head as I walk down the steps to the basement. Just kidding.
3 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
I think you have a "flexible" wrist then. =)
2 people like this
@Grandmaof2 (7579)
• Canada
11 Nov 07
I am right handed and I have never given this topic any thought until now, but I stir my coffee in the clockwise direction. I don't think I have ever stirred in both directions, only clockwise. Take care my friend.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
Hello Grandmaof2, good of you to drop by. ^^
And interesting... right-handed yet clockwise. Well, I guess we are all different! =)
1 person likes this
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
12 Nov 07
You mentioned that you are right-handed and therefore, use your right wrist most of the time thus causing you to stir your coffee counterclockwise. I am a right-handed person as well but I always stir my drinks clockwise. Does that make sense now? LOL! I feel kind of awkward if I were to stir counterclockwise.
Is it because of what I am used to rather than whether I am a right-handed person or a left-handed person?
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
12 Nov 07
My question is do people that live north of the Equator
stir clockwise and those south of it stir counterclockwise?
Hmmm?
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
12 Nov 07
It just means we are all different and the same "rule" may not apply to all.:P
@Leon35 (35)
• Philippines
11 Nov 07
I never thought about how I was stirring my coffee, actually I do not drink coffee, I drink hot chocolait! but come to think of it, consciously observing myself stirring hot chocolate, I do agree with you saying that it is natural for a right handed person to stir inwards or counterclockwise. Unless I am really, really mad I ain't a destructive person either.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
But hey, I guess we all have a weeny destructive streak in us. :P
1 person likes this
@chamberd1 (240)
• United States
11 Nov 07
Aren't you supposed to be casting fireballs?
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
I did. Why else did you think you had light just now?
Just taking a break and asking the moon to supervise things.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
11 Nov 07
DOnt stir coffee drink it black . But got to studing how I stir other things like for and omlet or paint and I stir clockwise going the othre way seem ackward to me.
But if we go by your way of thinking the world better look out for I dare say alot of poeple stir that way !
2 people like this
@sherrir101 (3670)
• Malinta, Ohio
11 Nov 07
I drink my coffee black so I do no stir it. But your theory sounds correct. I just made me some hot chcolate and did test it, though. I do it the same as you. Counter clockwise. I wonder if this has been tested with the scientists? They test everything else.
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
14 Nov 07
I read and read and read and still find it too complicated. As I read, the juice in my head keep twirling clockwise endlessly with some occasional anti-clockwise rounds when it needs a break. I shall stop here as I fear my head will get dizzy and go crazy for coffee in order to carry out the experiment.
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
14 Nov 07
Geez, what chaotic thoughts you are housing in your big head! :P
@DesigningLife (903)
• United States
11 Nov 07
Lordwarwizard, your discussions are FUN! I have honestly never thought about it until you posed the question.
I stir my coffee clockwise and I am right handed. I keep my wrist fairly still and just maneuver the spoon around with my thumb and index finger.
Serving up a cup of java for you...here ya go! ~o) :)
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
12 Nov 07
Thank you! ^^
And so you are an expert at twiddling your thumb and index finger! :P
@OURDEW (4809)
• United States
11 Nov 07
Hi lordwarwizard, nice to have you back.:)
I stir my coffee counterclockwise a couple of times then clockwise once then counterclockwise again and I am right handed. I really never thought about this before, I just made a cup of coffee and had to think about what I just did.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
Hehe thanks.
As for your response to the topic question, I think you are a thorough person. =)
1 person likes this
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
11 Nov 07
lol....great discussion!! I had to sit here and pretend I was stirring my coffee to figure this one out!!! I'm right handed and I stir it counterclockwise.
2 people like this
@m3ileen (1)
•
8 Dec 07
i'm right-handed and stir clockwise...hmmm...
i stumbled upon this board because i just wondered about this stirring thing. in fact, i started a group in facebook...
everybody's welcome there!
go to facebook and search "how do you stir?" under the groups section.
@poohgal (6845)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
Hello there. I am right handed too. However, I have the habit of stirring my tea (I do not drink coffee) clockwise. It's more natural for me to stir it clockwise. It's unexplainable why I stir my tea clockwise. I guess this is a habit cultivated since young. I prefer turning my wrist outwards rather than inwards.
Likewise, when I draw a circle, I will draw it in clockwise direction (drawing outwards). How about you? Since you prefer turning your wrist inwards, I guess you draw circles in an anticlockwise direction?
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
Hi!
Oh yea, the power of habits.
And yea, you got it again! I draw my circles counterclockwise!:P
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160909)
• United States
11 Nov 07
I do not stir my coffee, I drink it black. I think that the fact that you stir both directions, starting with counterclockwise might indicate that you are creative and innovative. It also might mean that you have greatly improved body mechanics, like you explained. You may be a person who is gifted in that area. On the other hand, I do some things wrong way or wrong handed, because I generally have poor body mechanics. This current husband observed that I flipped pancakes backwards, or inneffectively, flipping them back to the right, with my right hand. I quit it.As I think about it though, I am right handed, and if I stir a batter or something, I stir counterclockwise, and I think it is because that is the most natural with your right wrist.
@smacksman (6053)
•
11 Nov 07
I'm left handed and I stir clockwise though I have never conciously thought about it before.
Oh and I know that water rotates down the plugole the opposite way north/south of the Equator. I tried it out as we crossed The Line on a ship and it didn't rotate at all. Wierd!
2 people like this
@hoghoney (3747)
• United States
11 Nov 07
Well I never thought about it but I am right handed and now that I think about it I stir my coffee counterclockwise. This is some great information here that will make on think about a few things that we do everyday. Even when I make a pitcher of Ice Tea and I stir it, I stir it counterclockwise also. How have ya been Lord, Have a great day.
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
I am ok hoghoney. I see you are still shaking your bum-bum. :P
Is this supposed to be some fortune piggy? =)
1 person likes this
@tsgirl01 (900)
• United States
11 Nov 07
Good Morning lordwarwizard,
Well, I just got up a bit ago and washed up and all. I came to the computer and low and behold, I see your discussion. Well, the coffee is ready and I am right handed and I stir my coffee clockwise....I just see it as my habit. I think you stir clockwise and counter clockwise because you want to have your milk mixed in very well! Have a good day and take care...Enjoy your coffee!
2 people like this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
11 Nov 07
Haha, thanks for dropping by to look at my discussion while seeping your coffee. =)
